He said he suffered the injury while working out, but continued to play and kick afterward not knowing that the meniscus had torn. He later felt the leg locking up. He was told the meniscus had slipped into a part of the knee that made his leg lock.

He needed surgery and again he had to rehab.

He was motivated to return to finish his senior season. He now wants to end his college career with a victory in a bowl game.

He's made seven of eight field-goal attempts this season and 50 of 51 PAT attempts.

Hardison said he was completely satisfied that he made the decision to transfer to Nevada and meet new friends in Reno.

He graduated last spring with a degree in marketing. He is now working on his master's degree in business and administration.

"At the end of the semester I will transfer to a school in Southern California," Hardison said. "I miss Orange County and Newport Beach. It's the best place in the world."

Hardison has been proud to hear about the CdM football team the past two seasons, as the Sea Kings have won consecutive CIF Southern Section Southern Division titles.

Of course, he was excited about CdM's kicker, too, as Griff Amies tied the state record for most field goals in a season with 22. Hardison said he would enjoy helping Amies if he needed any advice or training.

Amies would be wise to seek Hardison, who has aspirations to play in the NFL.

Hardison has received invitations to compete at NFL special teams combines after the season ends, he said.

He also plans to work with Gary Zauner, a renowned kicking coach who was a special teams coach in the NFL and has worked with kickers Gary Anderson and Sebastian Janikowski among others.

However, he is only thinking about the bowl game on Saturday, he said.

"Since we lost in a bowl game last year, I want this one really bad," he said.